I'm not sure what happened, but it it feels like I've slept for a really long time and someone decided to put an audiobook narrated by Gabby Agbonlahor. It was like I'd heard the story before, many times, but I couldn't quite remember where.

I'm just joking. Gabby is a little like his career; one good showing a season. We're all used to it now and we know what it means. I just wish he didn't wind up Arsenal fans before this match.

And before we get to the match at Arsenal, news from the manager; Benteke is going nowhere.

"As far as I'm concerned, the guy is here and he isn't going anywhere until I say so or not really. That's the bottom line."

Really sorry, I've just read that again. It doesn't actually mean he isn't going anywhere. It means actually nothing. The manager might as well be telling us the time.

A look to Arsenal

So, to the point of today and a match at Arsenal and this is either going to get messy or we're going to be very happy. I think there is definitely three points for one of the sides today and the smart money will be on Arsenal, but where there is a game, there is hope.

But Arsenal are on a different level to us and I'm convinced they'll finish in the top four this season. But I was also fairly convinced they could have won the league the season before last, but Wenger didn't do what he had to do in the summer. Maybe he doesn't do what he has to do today.

Which is why there is a chance. It used to be that Arsenal was a tough place to go, but if teams like Blackburn can go there and turn them over, why not us?

And that is why there is hope. It could be that we are watching Arsene Wenger crack up. I'm not sure that is happening, but it could be, it has all the markings of a manager losing the plot.

Updates, team news and links

And we could get something if you believe all the PR that we're hearing from the club. And I wrote something the other day about believing if we did. What I meant by that was I'd believe we would stay up if we beat Arsenal, but defeat today could see us go back into the bottom three and that is the reality of our situation.

So, the real world is back and on that note, I'm going to go read the papers and not leave a prediction. I might leave one later, when the optimism arrives and serves me my cold beer, but this is a hard match to predict this early in the morning.

Damian started The Villa Blog as a passion project quite a few years ago while he was living in South Africa. Now living in Sweden, it continues. He's originally from Chasetown and grew up when supporting Villa meant there was a real chance of silverware at the start of every season.

Guest - expat007

VILLA: Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Baker, Bennett, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Benteke.Just looked in prior to seeing the Villa in the local bar and seen the teams.
Well lads that’s a push over, but for whom?????
Thank god we have a tight defense very similar to that of Bayern Munich.
Maybe back on later if still sober, problem as always whatever the result its either me drowning my sorrows or celebrating the win. A draw today that the same as a win, so its tomorrow.
Have a good game and night.

Guest - Granger

So Vlaar either has a pressure sore on his arse after two weeks rest which on his recovery record keeps him out for 6 weeks or he turned up at training and showed someone his new phone which Lambert took as an insult to his authority.
Bennet back! OMG
Still always hopeful
UTV

Guest - j doyle

Guest - K Block

Have to agree with Bobby 6. Not buying some quality and experience in defence in January will be our downfall!!!!!! Major neglect by the club. Here watching this, it could be embarrassing. It's a shame. Going forward we have something :-(

Guest - belcs

As soon as I saw bennett in the line up, I knew I wouldn't waste any time watching another humiliation from lam-berk and his losers.
Why on earth did the clueless twat not sign a centre half in January. That is unforgivable. I can't take any more, I'll be back once lamberk has gone but I cannot take any more of the patronising, deluded dour twat

Guest - samja

Well another defeat on the cards it seems. There is no way we will finish above Wigan, they always start pulling out results this time of year and yet again they are 2-0 up today. We are doomed, lamberk deserves to be hounded out for the disgraceful position he has put us in.

Guest - Bobby 6 Killer

Guest - Bobby 6 Killer

Guest - Vital_Loans

This games isn't quite going to the expectation of many. As predicted by someone else Villa keep breaking records. I wonder will be Benteke be the first Villa player to score in 5 consecutive games and maybe we can be the team to condemn Arsenal to their 3 rd consecutive home loss for the first time in over 30 years

Guest - Vital_Loans

I do agree that QPR have looked f**ked for a long time, Hughes just didnt get enough points to give 'Arry a chance. But in fairness to 'Arry he did get them goin a little albeit at a massive cost in Jan and it did look like they might join the group fighting the drop. The nail is in their coffin now. I wonder how Samba and other will like playing in the Championship. Will be an interesting transfer window in the summer for 'Arry

Guest - fykv

there are teams that with 10 mins left, you do put on defensive players, now when were playing west ham, we dont have to do it, can keep the attackers on but with 10 mins left i wouldnt of put that darkins on, why not lichaj to comabt the extra attacker arsneal put on

Guest - fykv

Guest - paulb

JCV
Yes I think the substitutions disrupt the team. We looked settled at 1-1 then he changes the balance. It passes the initiative to the opposition. Surely after a fortnight off players can manage 90mins. If they were injured I can understand it but tactically it once again leaves me scratching my head. If it aint broke dont fix it !!!!!

Guest - j doyle

sack this clown he is nothing but a ****** we cannot win with a ****** like bennet in the team
he takes noz off again and we concede yet again the guy does not lern by his mistakes he is a ****** and needs sacking villa are down full stop

Guest - truevillan

There was a point available today, but once again, in the last 10 mins we start defending deep and panic, this has not worked in any game, not ONE! so why do they keep thinking it may work one day, the defence will send us down, no doubt and PL is to blame for not addressing this, we have had kids in a mans position all season, the one area you have to mature as a footballer is defence, you dont use 3-4 of them on a regular basis!
has PL subs ever worked? I dont remember once him turning a game.
we are now in a four horse race, and that means there areno rooms for mistakes, unfortunately we will slip deeper before we get another chance to move up again as Man City will tear that defence apart!

i duno why people are complining that we lost to arsenal, there a much better team than us for starters and last year we went their and defended for 90 mins, lost 3-0... at least we had a go at them and it was pretty close, annoying yes but pretty close and a decent match, our 2 cup finals are aginst qpr and reading, and they look shocking, if we can get 6 points from those 2 matches we'll be fine

Guest - B6 villa

Guest - belcs

**** off lam-berk you useless dour patronising twat. Can't organise a defence at all, when was the last time him and our useless turds managed a clean sheet.
As I expected, Wigan began their traditional end of season run today with an emphatic 3 points. Mark my words, we will finish 10 plus or more behind them. Us, Reading and QPR are all gone. My only hope now is Lerner sells, Faulkner leaves and Lam-berk is never seen again wearing our once proud badge. Until that is realised, I will be staying away and will not be spending a penny. The club is owned by a moron and managed by a moron. AVFC is rotten and its death is upon us. **** you Lerner, Faulkner and Lamberk- you are all a disgrace to the principles and pride this club once stood for.

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